I'm thrilled with the response on this! Thank you all for reading this! It makes it all worth it!
kicry -Thank you for reviewing again! I hope that this chapter is up to your expectations!
silverheartlugia2000- Thank you for faving as well! I'm glad you're enjoying my take on the 2p!s. By the way, I enjoy your stories as well! I am a complete sucker for brotherly fluff fics. XD I also enjoy the eagle-powers headcanon of yours. I always look forward to updates!
SniperKingSogeking0341- Heehee. Heat Miser!America is so fun to write for. He's also in this chapter so I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reviewing!
A Field of Starlight- Thank you so much for reviewing! And the bros should be scared of England. You'll find out why! Heehee. I agree with you about the sibling rivalry thing. It's so fun to write. There's more of that in this chapter as well. I hope you find it as enjoyable as I did!
Thank you also, Solar Flare of Saturn, for faving! As well as all those who added my story to alert! I hope that this is a satisfying conclusion for you!
Once again, I do not own Hetalia. That belongs to Himaruya Hidakaz.
I do not own The Year Without a Santa Claus. That belongs to Jules Bass, Arthur Rankin Jr., and William Keenan.
Sealand, personally, thought that the Nordics would be happy to arrive at the forest. After all, the temperature wasn't just tolerable –it was absolutely gorgeous, there was a gentle breeze in the air, the sun was out, a rainbow snaked in the blue sky, and birds were singing. But, when butterflies started landing on his shoulder and head, he wondered if he was actually dreaming.
Iceland quickly brushed the insects off the younger nation as if they were mosquitoes instead of butterflies. Sweden came and grabbed his hand, pulling Sealand close to him in a protective manner as they watched the pink and light blue butterflies flutter off.
Before they got too close to the earthy cottage that was clearly their destination, the group stopped abruptly. One of Sealand's heavy brows popped as he looked up to the taller nations.
"Sweden?"
The stoic nation directed his ominous stare at the boy before Norway addressed him.
"Sealand, the things in this forest and this cottage are very dangerous."
"Yeah. The bunnies are so deadly," the boy joked.
Denmark spun on him, crouching down and putting a hand on his shoulder.
"He's serious. Don't touch anything once we're inside, don't look into Mother Nature's eyes, and, whatever you do, don't eat anything!"
"Why not?"
"Anything! Do you understand?"
Sealand shrunk back at the intensity of Norway's and Denmark's eyes. The Norwegian nation wasn't exactly the most talkative nation, but whatever he said wasn't to be taken lightly. And, the Dane looked almost scared. He'd never seen that emotion ever on his face before –not even with the Misers.
The micronation nodded obediently and gripped harder onto Sweden's large hand. Then they went into the cottage.
Honestly, the building looked rather normal. The only things that seemed unusual were the trays of pasteries and sweets that were displayed on every flat surface. But, really. Even though Sealand looked like a kid, he was a nation…err, micronation. He had more self-control than they gave him credit for. Really, what were they worried about? Just don't eat the candy. How hard was that?
The five personifications looked around, but there was no "Mother Nature" to be found. That was until they heard a sing-songy voice call out to them from out back.
"Ah! Guests? I don't recall inviting anyone. No matter! Come outside and sit with me! It's a psychotically beautiful day~!"
Sealand was, at first, confused as to why Mother Nature had an unusually deep voice for a woman, but, as they moved out a side door to the patio, he realized that "Mother" Nature was actually a guy!
He had blond hair that was streaked with the same light blue and pink frosting that coated all of the pastries that were inside. Maybe he just finished making a batch?
As the countries gathered around, Mother Nature leaned forward on the tea table he had set up, propping both elbows on the lace tablecloth and rested his head on his hands.
"Why if it isn't nations! Denmark, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and, I'm sorry, I don't believe I've met you yet~!"
Sealand nodded shyly, extending his hand to shake as he was taught.
"I'm Sealand. It's nice to meet you."
Mother Nature took the hand, giving it a polite shake, chuckling fondly to himself.
"It is an insane pleasure to meet you, dear Sealand. Would you like a cupcake?"
Sealand opened his mouth to respond but no sound came out. He was warned about this, he was sure. He felt the response he was told to give on the tip of his tongue. It was a simple word –a small one. He said it often enough. Yet, why couldn't he think of it?
His thoughts became sluggish as he looked at Mother Nature. His eyes were the same color as the frosting on the cupcake he was reaching for. Soft blue and rose pink. Innocent, happy colors. Colors that babies would wear as the cooed in their cribs and reached up toward the mobiles that twirled and swirled above their heads. If only their arms were longer, their reach extended then they could reach the cupcake-shaped mobile set, feel it in their hands, taste it in-
"No!"
Sealand felt his vocabulary and grasp on reality return to him suddenly, like he was waking up from a rough dream, as his hand was smacked away –inches from a cupcake. The micronation quickly withdrew his hand.
"We haven't come here to eat your food! W-with all due respect."
That fear Sealand saw earlier leaked into Denmark's voice as the blond Dane made quite the show in avoiding Mother Nature's eyes.
The micronation took a few steps back to partially hide himself behind Sweden. It wasn't proven that the Swede could use laser vision, but, if there was one person who could, it would be him so he was the only one Sealand would think could defeat someone with freaky hypnotism eyes.
Mother Nature frowned only momentarily as he placed the colorful cupcake back in the slot in the cupcake pan.
"So why did you come to visit poor, sweet me? Why this tasty surprise?"
"We have a slight…um, communication difficulty between Snow Miser and Heat Miser. We were wondering if you could help us settle a little debate."
"Oh. Were they misbehaving?" A smile not unlike the Cheshire cat's spread onto his face as his eyes started to spiral. The pink and blue hues coiled together, drawing him urging his hand toward a cupcake- No! No! Sealand looked away quickly.
"Uh, I'm not sure if I would put it that way necessarily. We just asked if it was reasonable for Heat Miser to let Snow Miser make it snow in the south for one day for Christmas and then, in exchange, Snow Miser would let Heat Miser bring warm temperatures to the North Pole for one day," Iceland explained. "They didn't agree to which we decided to bring the case to you. Can you help us reach an agreement between them?"
"Oh, but of course! My boys are deranged troublemakers. You are such nice, sugar-hearted countries, and they need to be straightened out. …BOYS!"
Sealand jumped at his sudden shriek then latched on to the tall, Swedish nation when two bolts of lightning struck, revealing the somehow-teleported Miser brothers. The Misers seemed frozen in place for a split second, flanking Mother Nature, but then, they blinked and were able to move. Once unfrozen, they shot a quick, obligatory glare at their opposite then they turned their attention toward their "Dad."
"What is it, Father?" Both Misers spoke in perfect, twin-like unison, mimicking each other in the amount of sarcasm as well.
"I heard that these countries came to you with a diplomatic and dementedly simple request."
The twin Misers looked miserable. Snow Miser angrily wiped sweat off his forehead as Heat Miser crossed his arms as if to warm himself with his own hatred. However, they looked mostly indignant, sending the occasional dirty look toward the other.
"But he's never shared the Poles with me! Selfish, idiot." Mr. Green Christmas protested with the tone of a whining child.
"The Poles are mine! Dad gave them to me! What about the equator, eh? You never let me-"
"I do too! You get the tops of the mountains!"
"Oh yeah. Because that's such a privilege!" Mr. White Christmas rolled his pale eyes in their sockets like snowballs in a child's hands.
"Yeah! So I should get some parts of the cold lands!"
"You get every volcano. There are volcanoes in cold places," the yin offered while he tugged at the collar of his shirt, hating the feeling of the sweat making the clothing stick there like it was glued.
"So? That's not the same!"
The yang sniffled, his nose starting to pink on the outside and dribble snot from the inside.
"Then what do you think I'm saying?"
"I don't know! Probably something stupid!"
Heat Miser kicked at the ground roughly as he rubbed his hands viciously to warm them.
Mister Twenty-Five Below growled as he threw off his coat and ran the back of his hand behind his neck to wipe off the moisture.
"I think Dad dropped you on your head as a child."
Mister Hundred-'n'-One clenched his jaws together, both in anger and to keep his teeth from chattering but then smirked as he thought of his retort.
"At least he still remembers I'm his child."
"That's IT!"
With that Mr. Icicle leapt at Mr. Heat-Blister menacingly when a bolt of lightning came out of nowhere once more and struck the foot of space that separated them. They quickly drew apart with their heads down but fists still clenched.
"Sorry, Daddy."
It was hard to tell which was more insincere.
Then Mother Nature stood up from his vine-laced chair and grabbed a hold of Snow Miser's collar before he could react.
"Here is what you two wonderful lunatics~ are going to do. You, my frosting, will make some flurries of snow sprinkle the south for one day."
There was a struggle on Snow Miser's part to get out of Mother Nature's hold, but his ice blue eyes merely glanced at Mother Nature's swirling irises and he was sucked into his spell. The Miser, body relaxed and freewill completely overridden, nodded in agreement. Mother Nature grinned and tucked a tray hair behind his snowy charge's ear like doting parent before he moved on to the other twin.
Heat Miser thought he was smart and closed his eyes, but when his dad yanked him down to eye level not by his collar like he expected but by his ear, the pain and shock made him open his eyes involuntarily. It was all the time Mother Nature needed to put second Miser under his control.
"And you, toasty tart, will make it a pleasantly warm day for the North pole."
Heat Miser's red irises as well as his mind were lost in Mother Nature's eyes, he nodded as well.
"Very good." He patted the brunette on the head, and, after releasing him, Mother Nature returned to his seat as if nothing happened, cocking his head to the side and smiling like the mad hatter at the petrified nations across from him.
"You won't have to worry any more about those two. Your nation-friend will have his wish."
"T-thank you, Mother Nature. We certainly appreciate it," Denmark asked before standing with the others to leave.
"Yeah. Thank you for listening and offering us cupcakes."
"Would you like some for the road~?"
"NO!" All of them yelled in unison.
"Very well then. Loony Christmas, loves~!"
Sealand never let go of Sweden's hand, and he was almost sure he would never ever feel safe until he was far away from this scary place. It was as if even the reindeer could sense the hidden danger in this place as they were fidgeting on their hooves anxiously. They piled into the sleigh and took off immediately.
Safe into the air, Sealand could finally relax.
"Dudes, Finland owes us big time for this!"
"Agreed!"
"You said it!"
They took off for home as fast as the reindeer's magic could possibly take them.
"Oi! Wake up everybody! It's Christmas!"
The Nordic household woke up the next morning to a hoarse but happy Finland. He was exhausted from delivering all those presents all night, but it would take nothing short of his country's collapse to keep him in bed on the night before Christmas no matter how sick he was.
Denmark, surprisingly a morning person, stampeded down the stairs in full energy to stand poised by the enormous Christmas tree, rocking back and forth on his heels like a child as he greeted Finland.
"I'm so ready for presents! You have no idea!"
"I'm happy you are so excited, Denny, but where is everyone else?" Finland chuckled before checking up the stairs for the rest of the Nordic countries.
"Calm down, Finland. I'm coming."
Iceland was slowly processing down the stairs, his puffin held in his arms. He headed straight for the coffeemaker.
Norway was right behind him but split off to go flop unceremoniously on the couch in two, short movements.
Finland didn't see Sweden come downstairs, but he somehow appeared walking out from the kitchen side by side with Iceland and holding a mug of coffee in his hand. Finland learned not to question it. At least he didn't appear suddenly behind him this time. That was scary.
Sealand was last; a soft blanket that had the design of his flag on it was fisted to his chest like a cloak as he slowly thump, thump, thumped down the stairs to join the rest.
Soon they were all together around the glowing Christmas tree.
"I'm so glad you are all here! It's so great to be surrounded by family on Christma-"
Pale Finn broke into rough coughs that earned pitied looks from the others.
"I apologize. I'm still a little sick, I guess."
"That's okay. Hey! Let's open presents!" Denmark announced while digging through the colorfully wrapped presents.
"Full of tact, you are. Just so sensitive." If Norway seemed bored and sarcastic during the day, he was even more so when he just got up.
"Here, Norge! Catch!"
Thankfully Denmark missed hitting the Norwegian with the present or this morning might have been legendary.
After the presents were opened and the wrapping paper covered the floor like carnage, the gifts were as follows:
Sweden received a wristwatch. It was no surprise though because he had received a watch every year for decades. It was what he asked for every year, and no one had the courage to question Sweden.
Denmark was a similar situation. He got some form of alcohol every year, but it wasn't that he asked for it. It was just that he was genuinely happy when someone got him a quality bottle and he usually shared. It was just beneficial to everyone. This year's was an especially smooth lager which he held up triumphantly and kissed as if was a sports trophy instead of a glass bottle of liquor.
Norway was the most difficult to shop for. After all, it wasn't like he got really excited about one gift or another. He was just grateful that his family valued him enough to spend time with him over Christmas more than any gift so he just thanked politely whomever got him his gift this year and moved on with his life.
Iceland wasn't difficult to shop for. Just get anything with a puffin on it, and he liked it, but he always felt guilty for how much it cost his family to buy if for him. They figured he would be upset even if they got him a piece of gum (wrapped with puffin-patterned paper, of course). The next few weeks after Christmas were always odd with him because he would try to "make up" for his "costly" present in unusual ways like preparing extravagant salads for them at weird times of the day –like after dessert or three in the morning- or complementing them in the most awkward ways possible. Still, it was just socially awkward Iceland showing his siblings love in his own way. They wouldn't have it any other way.
Sealand was just like a little kid. He did try to act like an adult and thank whoever got him the present even if it wasn't what he wanted, but, try as he might, his large eyebrows wouldn't let him hide any emotion. When he was sad, it was as if his eyebrows simply grew too heavy, split in the middle, angled outwards, and sank down like broken bits of the Titanic. In other words, he was an open book. If he did like the gift, like he did this year, he would scream at the top of his lungs, run around with the gift over his head, and showering the person who got him the gift with enough thank yous to drown them.
"Finland! We have to show you your present!"
Finland tilted his head to the side as Sealand led him away from the Christmas tree and to the television set.
"I don't understand. What did you do?"
Finland's voice was a cross between suspicious and worried. Having Denmark in the same house as him made his actions a legitimate conjecture.
"Just give me a sec!" Sealand said as he flipped through the channels at light speed.
The other nations gathered around, now more awake than the hours previous, and watched Finland with various degrees of anticipation. Yeah. Finland was very worried.
"Aha! Here! Look, look, look!"
Finland watched the micronation point eagerly to the screen that was displaying a slightly-static version of what he could decipher to be a news broadcast.
"A White Christmas on the equator? Believe it or not, it's happening this year as unexpected storms blew in last night and caused snow to fall on some of the world's notoriously warm climates. Now to Channel Four reporter, Dietrich Smith, in Cairo, Egypt to bring us a live look at the results of this unusual weather phenomenon."
"Thank you, Cheryl. Meteorologists are baffled as the unusual storms have caused snow to fall and keep falling in unheard of places like here in Egypt where large amounts of precipitation of any kind is unusual!
The station changed camera angles to view a village of children running around smiling in pure glee. They opened their mouths to try to get the snowflakes to stick on their tongues and reached with all the length their fingers could give them to bat at the snow euphorically.
"The snow has not been able to accumulate, however, but after talking with the residents here, they see this even temporary snow as a divine blessing. This could very well be a Christmas miracle in their eyes. Back to you, Cheryl."
"Beautiful, Dietrich. Strangely enough, record highs are being reported simultaneously at the top of the globe. The reason is still unknown, but experts are predicting that the temperature increase will, unusually, not cause major glacial melting or flooding at the poles. Some climatologists are looking to global warming as the explanation-"
Sealand flicked the television off before turning to Finland. The feverish, Finnish nation's mouth was in an open smile and his eyes were welling up.
"H-how did you...?"
"Merry Christmas, Finland!"
"Just promise that you won't make us do it again. Aagh!"
Norway swiftly elbowed Denmark in the gut for the comment.
Finland sniffled and wiped his nose before opening his arms for a group hug. Some of the more stoic countries were more reluctant, but it was freaking Christmas so they sucked it up. Besides, they went through quite the turmoil to get that "present" for the cheery Finn. Even Santa needed a Christmas present every once in a while.
As they embraced their kin, they couldn't help but hope that next Christmas, Finland would be back to his usual, healthy self. They didn't know if they could last another year without their Finland.
I've seen a few fics where 2p!England can hypnotize people with his eyes and I thought it was just creepy enough to bring into the fic.
The thought struck me as I was writing this fic that Heat Miser and Snow Miser would probably be uncomfortable while in Mother Nature's world. So I decided to throw that headcanon in with Snow Miser "melting" and Heat Miser "freezing."
I know that this plot doesn't exactly follow the plot of the actual movie, but I really only wanted to do the part of the plot where the Misers and Mother Nature come in so I did what I could. I hope the plot was still easy to follow and semi-interesting.
Well, that is the conclusion. I hope that you liked it. It was fun to write. I have other Hetalia stuff if you are interested as well as some "Red vs Blue" fics if you are into that fandom as well. Anyway, thanks for reading.
As always, fav and review as you so desire.
Looking forward to it!